Regional Victorian lives are being put at risk by infighting between Labor State and Federal Governments, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Anne Webster says.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has urged the Allan Labor Government to review Victoria’s controversial GP Payroll Tax while the Victorian Government is concerned Minister Butler plans to rip more than $2 billion in health funding from the States and Territories over the next five years.

“People are suffering through a regional health workforce crisis yet all Labor want to do is point fingers at each other,” Dr Webster said.

“Bulk billing is dropping at an alarming rate, regional hospitals are in a state of neglect, doctors are leaving regional areas to practice in peri-urban areas but neither the Federal or State Government are focused on these issues. They are distracted by their own squabbling.”

Dr Webster said Minister Butler was attacking the Victorian Government over its GP Payroll tax to protect his own image. The Victorian tax hike subjects doctors to a retrospective bill – in some cases millions of dollars – while also compromising regional Victorians’ access to healthcare.

“State payroll tax changes make primary care less affordable, especially in the regions where clinics are forced to raise fees already higher on average than their Melbourne counterparts, or risk going out of business.  It is a disgraceful tax grab and totally unacceptable.” she said.

Fewer than one in four Australian GP clinics offer Bulk Billing to all adults in 2024, down more than 11 per cent over the past year.  Increased fees undermine the community benefits from Minister Butler’s Medicare investment claims.

“Regional Victorians find it hard enough to see a doctor, without being deterred from seeing their doctor due to increased out of pocket costs. All this dreadful politicking of people’s health will result in, is poorer health outcomes.”